Room temperature C(sp(2))–H oxidative chlorination via photoredox catalysis

Photoredox catalysis has been developed to achieve oxidative C–H chlorination of aromatic compounds using NaCl as the chlorine source and Na(2)S(2)O(8) as the oxidant. The reactions occur at room temperature and exhibit exclusive selectivity for C(sp(2))–H bonds over C(sp(3))–H bonds. The method has been used for the chlorination of a diverse set of substrates, including the expedited synthesis of key intermediates to bioactive compounds and a drug.